I dont understand this simple basic thing and I dont trust pc world

[BigonaBianchi]

ok...son has a vista dell pc jobby. He has 1022mb on it which is memory right?

he has a software programm on it which needs 1gb+Ram...(greek to me)...

He only uses this pc for itunes and his music software..there isnt even any internet on it..

...So...

am I rightin saying that this thing needs mor ememory?

how much memory?

How is memory added to a pc?

How much does it cost?

....last time i was in pc world i had a stand up row with the nob manager in there...so I just dont trust them at all...

I know this is schoolboy stuff but all i need to know is what to buy to make the dam think work.
Ta.

 

[dudi]

chill BOAB... take it easy.

the prog needs a minimum level of memory to run, because it (along with the basic needs of the computer) needs to have that amount of info running at once.

the memory you mentioned is the RAM (random access memory) and you have the bare minimum required for that software to run. this means it won't run as well as it could do, but it will be OK as long as it's just that prog running.

If it is possible, and you want to, upgrade the memory. this wil involve opening the case and inserting a new RAM stick.

Now, you need to make sure the RAM you fit is of the same type as the RAM that is already in there. you also need to make sure there's a spare RAM slot on the motherboard.

Again, as it's Dell, and they're pretty good, you've probably got one RAM chipset in there with one GB on it. and you probably do have space.

the price of RAM depends on the type, some are really cheap, some are pretty expensive (like bike parts really, they do the same thing, but better).

Best advice is: If you ain't sure, don't mess with it. find someone who knows their stuff and get them to take a look.

If you give us the model of the computer we ought to be able to tell you what spec RAM it uses...

 

[yenrod]

Big' click on this on your sons comp - if you can get it hooked up to the net and it'll scan the comp. and will tell you what you need but your better doing what dudi says !

http://www.crucial.com/uk/index.aspx?cpe=CHAWKuk

 

[Carwash]

ok...son has a vista dell pc jobby. He has 1022mb on it which is memory right?

he has a software programm on it which needs 1gb+Ram...(greek to me)...

you have the bare minimum required for that software to run.

If the numbers quoted are really correct, this is not the case. 1GB = 1024MB, not 1022.

1022MB would be a a really wierd amount of RAM to have though.

 

[bonj2]

it'll be fine. 1022 is near as damn it a gig, which is what it wants.
try it and see anyway!

good on you for having a stand up row with the manager of pc world btw. let me know if your'e ever planning another one, i'm sure i'm not the only member of the forum who would love to pop in and pretend to be browsing

 

[yenrod]

PCWorld are that bad they charge you 30 quid for YOU just putting it on the counter and looking at it ! - avoid !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also:

'the stupid people guide to comps. (dont worry i had the same kind of explanation - but its true)

Basically a comps. like this: the RandonAccessibleM - this where the comp. plays with all the things that go on - on the comp. ie progs you're running and hardware that is also running IT will then decide..or referring back to Hardware printer and the likes that're running (which are in the Hard-Drive) via progs. but the RAM is where all the proccess get swished around and vice-versa and anywhich possible...

Easy - like being a comp. geek

The more RAM you have the more efficient it will be to work.

So a 3GB RAM & say a 160+ HardDrive should be pretty dam good for Vista and for XP - light speed !

But if you want really fast get the above AND a faster processor HD quicker than 2GHz.

 

[Carwash]

Truly, you have a dizzying intellect.

 

[yenrod]

A comp. geek (usually a male) is always an entertaining person...

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Thanks for helping fellas...I am still confussed though...the numbers I posted were what my son wrote down for me...I cant ge ton his pc as he's asleep right now.

Am I correct in saying that he needs more memory?
Can I buy extra memory (ram) in a card or something and just plug it into his pc?

..yeah about that row...the bloke was a pompous arse...nearly came to blows...SWMBO has now 'volunteered' to venture in there from now on just in case I get done for GBH because I ask for help about a cable or something

 

[marinyork]

I would certainly put more than a gig in to run vista. It is easy to upgrade the memory. The numbers might have been off due to shared memory.

 

[Abitrary]

Am I correct in saying that he needs more memory?

Just getting to the root of the problem... what programs does he run that need so much memory? Are they graphics or sound processing intensive? Is it for games?

If it's anything intensive like these, then you may just want to buy a newer more powerful pc rather than chucking money at the old one.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

The programm concerned is called Sibellius 5 which is a composing music notation programme..he also has some sound librarys in there as well.

There is no way i can afford a new pc...he has a new dell pc with vista less than a year old...so it's add a memory stick or nought I reckon.

He uninstalled some games which he never used anyway..now he just has the card games the pc came with..

he does have a lot of mp3s from itunes on there though

 

[Abitrary]

I know sibellius. Those programs that use sample files need a lot of memory. It won't need extra graphics processing power, so an extra couple of gigs of ram should be fine.

Like marinyork says, vista is hungry, so I'd stick another 3gb in there, which you should be able to get for around 50 quid.

 

[BigonaBianchi]

cool so if I get 3gb extra what format is it in..I mean it's a 'stick' but can I just fit it myself or does the back of the pc need to come off and require me to go to university to fit it?

Could I just buy it on line somewhere amd fit it myself easily or is this a job for pc world nobs?

 

[marinyork]

It's easy enough to do it yourself. For a laptop there's a panel on the back. For a desktop take the side panel off and you put into appropriate slot in the motherboard. Either way do it yourself.